AEMO Request for Information for System Strength Services in Victoria

For the current Victorian System Strength Requirement Regulatory Investment Test – Transmission (RIT-T), AEMO Victorian Planning (AVP) has completed the first stage which is the Project Specification Consultation Report (PSCR) which was published on 14 July 2023.

In October 2021 the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) made its final rule determination on Efficient Management of System Strength on the Power System. This new system strength framework is intended to enable a more rapid connection of inverter-based resources (IBR) such as solar and wind, with solutions that achieve economies of scale. Under this framework, AVP will be responsible for proactive provision of system strength services, as the Victorian System Strength Service Provider (SSSP), to facilitate efficient generator and storage connections.

Under the new framework, the SSSP must meet the new power system standard comprising of:

• A minimum fault level requirement for power system security at each system strength node.
• A requirement for stable voltage waveforms at connection points to host AEMO’s (as the System Planner) forecasted levels of IBR (also known as the efficient level of system strength) at each system strength node.

AVP is required to plan to meet the standard (both minimum and efficient levels) from 2 December 2025 onwards.

AVP is seeking information and to understand the availability of options for system strength services within and outside the Victorian declared shared network that enable compliance with the system strength requirement at the various System Strength Nodes. Responses to the Request for Information (RFI) will inform AVP’s Victorian System Strength Requirement RIT-T including the technical and economic assessment of credible options to meet AEMO’s system strength requirements over different time horizons.

INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS ARE INVITED for the provision of System Strength Services from persons who may be interested in providing system strength services that are capable of addressing Victoria’s system strength requirement.

Information and proposals must be submitted in accordance with the Request for Information below by 5:00pm on Friday 6 October 2023.

It is requested that Recipients submit any questions related to the RFI to SystemStrengthVIC@aemo.com.au. The procurement process will begin with AEMO seeking and evaluating information and proposals from potential system strength service providers. The timetable below lists indicative timeframes for the RFI process:

Recipients should note that this web page will be updated if addenda to the RFI are issued. Recipients should make a point of regularly checking this web page to ensure that they are equipped with the most up-to-date information.